RIP Spaghetti Warehouse

Last week we heard the most devastating restaurant news in a long time.

Le Bec Fin is supposedly closing in 2011, and we know thats a huge blow to the Philly restaurant scene, but really, its not something to cry over. What is something to cry over? The closing of Spaghetti Warehouse.

Michael Klein broke the news last week and offered very little detail about why the 20year old landmark on Spring Garden St would be shutting down two weeks before Christmas. And we learned, after a final dinner there last night, that even the staff can't offer much of an explanation. Our waitress surmised that it was all about money. She claims that they'd been pretty dead for several months. Okay, so its easy to understand why an international restaurant management company would decide to shutter a location that doesn't make enough money to heat and cool the huge warehouse that its in. But why two weeks BEFORE christmas? Our waitress went on to explain that several large companies had their holiday parties booked and reservations for the next two weeks were solid. Why not one last push for a little pocket change?

There are some who act as if they're too good for this type of restaurant and I hope we've never come off that way while discussing higher quality restaurants. The allure of Spaghetti Warehouse wasn't a perfectly cooked Baked Penne, or deliciously seasoned Italian Wedding soup. We've never walked out thinking, "That was the best italian food we've ever eaten" The food was not spectacular, but it was good enough. It was good enough for the nights when all you want is some comforting Italian and you don't feel like making a reservation, or fighting the crowds at Buca di Beppo. It was good enough when your party has 10 people in it, and you need a place that you know can handle it. It was good enough for when your senses need a little over stimulation from the trolley car, or the wrought iron bed posts, or the hundreds of "vintage" signs lining the walls.

There are plenty of wonderful authentic Italian eateries in and around Old City, but none serve hot sourdough bread with garlic butter. You just can't beat that.

We could go on and on about how much we'll miss the arcade games, the balloon man and the special happy birthday song sang by the servers. I'm sure there are thousands of others that have fond memories of this restaurant, but sadly, memories and "good enough" aren't what makes the world go round.

Another one bites the dust.